BACKGROUND: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a mast cell-driven disease that is defined as the recurrence of wheals, angioedema, or both for >6 weeks due to known or unknown causes. As of yet, disease diagnosis is purely clinical. Objective tools are needed to monitor the activity of CSU and the efficacy of treatment. Recently, several reports have suggested that blood parameters may be considered as potential disease-related biomarkers. OBJECTIVE: To review available literature on blood biomarkers for CSU diagnosis, activity monitoring, duration, patient subgroups allocation or response to treatment...

BACKGROUND: Despite several studies on the seroprevalence of antibodies against Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever virus (CCHFV) from humans and cattle in Nigeria, detailed investigation looking at IgG and IgM have not been reported. Additionally, there have been no confirmed cases of human CCHFV infection reported from Nigeria. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Samples from sera (n = 1189) collected from four Local Government Areas in Borno State (Askira/Uba, Damboa, Jere and Maiduguri) were assessed for the presence of IgG and IgM antibodies...

BACKGROUND: There is renewed interest in effective measures to control Zika and dengue vectors. A synthesis of published literature with a focus on the quality of evidence is warranted to determine the effectiveness of vector control strategies. METHODOLOGY: We conducted a meta-review assessing the effectiveness of any Aedes control measure. We searched Scopus and Medline for relevant reviews through to May 2016. Titles, abstracts and full texts were assessed independently for inclusion by two authors...

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that Schistosoma infection may be associated with Plasmodium falciparum infection or related reduction in haemoglobin level, but the nature of this interaction remains unclear. This systematic review synthesized evidence on the relationship of S. haematobium or S. mansoni infection with the occurrence of P. falciparum malaria, Plasmodium density and related reduction in haemoglobin level among children in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A systematic review in according with PRISMA guidelines was conducted...

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of mobile phone applications (apps) on glycemic control (HbA1c) in the self-management of diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Relevant studies that were published between 1 January 1996 and 1 June 2015 were searched from five databases: Medline, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase. Randomized controlled trials that evaluated diabetes apps were included. We conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis and GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) of the evidence...

Epidemiology studies have been carried out to investigate the association between alcohol consumption and the risk of gallstone disease, but the results remain controversial. We carried out a meta-analysis to quantitatively summarize the evidences from observational studies on alcohol consumption and the risk of gallstone disease. Eligible studies published in English were identified by searching PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases. The random-effect model was used to calculate the pooled relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs)...

BACKGROUND: Implantation of mesh at the time of stoma formation may reduce the rate of parastomal hernia. Until recently, the evidence has been limited to only a few small randomized controlled trials. OBJECTIVE: We present an updated systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effect of mesh prophylaxis on rates of parastomal hernia. We examine ongoing and unpublished trials via online registries and propose recommendations for future research. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched up to March 2016 for published randomized controlled trials...

Recent evidence indicates that metformin therapy may be associated with a decreased colorectal adenoma/colorectal cancer risk in type 2 diabetes patients. However, results are not consistent. We therefore performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the association between metformin therapy and risk of colorectal adenomas/colorectal cancer in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. We searched the literature published before Aug 31, 2016 in four databases: PubMed, Embase database, CNKI and VIP Library of Chinese Journal...

Many evaluations have been carried out on the economic impact of pneumococcal vaccination in older adults (>64 years of age) in several countries, including Italy. However, these studies did not include the new data on the effectiveness of 13-valent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine (PCV13) in the elderly reported by the CAPiTA Study. The aim of the present study was to update our previous budget impact analysis of multi-cohort PCV13 vaccination in adults in Italy by including new scientific evidence. We also compared single-cohort vaccination strategies per year, in order to identify the cohort with the most favourable economic profile, in the event of the multi-cohort approach not being economically sustainable for the National Health System (NHS)...

BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence indicates that plasma interleukin (IL)-17 levels may be associated with increased risk of psoriasis, but the individual published results are inconclusive. AIM: To evaluate IL-17 levels in patients with psoriasis using a meta-analysis of studies comparing IL-17 levels in controls and in patients with psoriasis. METHODS: All relevant studies were identified by searching PubMed, Web of Science and MEDLINE databases before 1 November 2015...

People with asplenia or hyposplenism are at increased risk of fulminant sepsis which carries a high mortality rate. A range of preventive measures are recommended although there is ongoing evidence that knowledge of and adherence to these strategies is poor. There have been significant changes in recommended vaccinations since the previously published recommendations in 2008. We provide current recommendations to help Australian and New Zealand clinicians in the prevention of sepsis in patients with asplenia and hyposplenia...

Objective: to identify nurse's competencies related to health promotion of individuals with chronic cardiac disease, in the light of the Galway consensus. Method: integrative literature review was conducted to search for studies published between 2010 and 2014 in the databases LILACS, BDENF, IBECS; and PubMed in February 2015. The 21 included studies were analyzed according to the eight domains of competence: Catalyzing change, Leadership, Evaluation, Planning, Implementation, Assessment, Advocacy and Partnerships...

Night eating syndrome (NES) is characterized by caloric intake ≥ 25% of total daily after dinner and/or by two or more weekly nocturnal awakenings accompanied by food ingestion. Causes of NES are not entirely clear and seem to involve a desynchronization between the circadian rhythms of food ingestion and sleep, resulting in a delayed pattern of food intake. Estimates of the prevalence of NES in the general population are around 1.5%, and although much higher frequencies have been described in obese individuals, a causal relationship between NES and obesity is not clearly established...

Five anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents have received regulatory approval for use in rheumatology: adalimumab, golimumab, infliximab, certolizumab, and etanercept. Apart from their well-documented therapeutic value, it is still uncertain to what extent they are associated with an increased risk of infectious adverse events. Areas covered: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published randomized studies to determine the effect of anti-TNF drugs on the occurrence of infectious adverse events (serious infections; tuberculosis; opportunistic infections; any infection)...

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are a mainstay of treatment options for Type 2 diabetes. They contribute to lowering blood glucose levels, generally have a favorable tolerability profile, and can be used alone or in combination with other antidiabetic agents. Based on the duration of their effects, GLP-1 RAs can be divided into two classes: short-acting and long-acting. Differences exist between these sub-classes, and between each drug, in terms of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles...

Percutaneous endovascular techniques are used increasingly in the vascular armamentarium. Commonly performed as day case procedures under local anaesthetic, they are suited to the highly co-morbid vascular patient population. Furthermore, technological advances have resulted in ever improving outcomes for aneurysmal and occlusive disease. Endovascular procedures such as endovascular aneurysm repair or iliac artery stenting are traditionally associated with reduced infectious complications compared to equivalent open techniques...

BACKGROUND: Palliative sedation therapy (PST) is an important and ethically accepted therapy in the care of selected palliative care patients with otherwise unbearable suffering from refractory distress. PST is increasingly used in end-of-life care. Austria does not have a standardized ethical guideline for this exceptional practice near end of life, but there is evidence that practice varies throughout the country. OBJECTIVE: The Austrian Palliative Society (OPG) nominated a multidisciplinary working group of 16 palliative care experts and ethicists who established the national guideline on the basis of recent review work with the aim to adhere to the Europeans Association of Palliative Care's (EAPC) framework on palliative sedation therapy respecting Austrians legal, structural and cultural background...

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: High vesicovaginal fistulas (VVF) in the setting of good apical support are best repaired via a transabdominal approach. Laparoscopic VVF repair was first reported in 1998. Several series of robot-assisted VVF repairs have since been published. The robot-assisted approach allows repair of high apical vaginal fistulas while avoiding the morbidity of laparotomy, shortening convalescence, and facilitating the use of omental interposition flaps. This video presents the technique for robot-assisted extravesical VVF repair utilizing a laparoscopically mobilized omental flap...

Cancer and cardiovascular disease are major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Older cancer patients often wrestle with underlying heart disease during cancer therapy while childhood cancer survivors are living long enough to face long-term unintended cardiac consequences of cancer therapies, including anthracyclines. Although effective and widely used, particularly in the pediatric population, side effects including dose-dependent association with cardiac dysfunction limits its usage. Unfortunately, there is only one US FDA-approved drug (dexrazoxane) available for the prevention and mitigation of cardiotoxicity related to anthracycline therapy...

Approximately every 5 years, the Infusion Nurses Society publishes evidence-based practice standards. This article provides an overview of the process used in standards development, describes the format of the standards, and provides a short summary of selected standards as applied to home care. The Standards are an important document that should be available to every home care organization that provides home infusion therapy.